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By Jessica Taylor
Several years ago, I became interested in training colleagues to work outreach events. I was specifically interested in addressing the gender gap in the sciences and making sure these interactions practiced gender equitable strategies. With the help of my team we developed a role model training program. We pulled from great resources such as the SciGirls Role Model Strategy Guide, TechBridge’s Role Models Matter resources, and publications from the Association of University Women and National Academies. Our first pilot training went really well, but we noticed some commented that they weren’t originally sure if they should attend because they didn’t know if they were a role model.
They were right, you don’t always know if someone considers you a role model. Only a person who interacts with you has the authority to give you that title. But what if they do see you as a role model? Since you don’t know when this might happen it’s best to always engage others in a way that encourages them in STEM and places you in their mind as a positive role model. We renamed our training, “Empowering Effective Role Models: Gender Equitable Strategies to Encourage Youth to Pursue STEM” and talk about how working in STEM, and especially at NASA, provides us a unique platform to engage with others.
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